ThE CAST
Special Guest Artist
Jaquay Pearce
Jaquay (juh-kway) Pearce was first introduced to the violin at age 7, as a student in her elementary school’s strings program, and has continued training and performing since age 16. As a solo artist, Jaquay loves to perform classical crossover selections branching into genres such as pop, rock, and R&B. She has performed for several music/art festivals such a Fringe!, and Jingle Eve, as well as corporate conventions and fashion shows. Jaquay performs with several bands and singer-songwriters such as, EmiSunshine & The Rain, Crystal Bowersox (runner-up on American Idol) and Porter & Sayles (contestants on the Voice). Jaquay became a member of the string quartet Violectric in January 2017.
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Special Guest Artist
Sophia Ferrera-Mongeotti
ABIGAIL IMAAN GRAHAM
Clare
Bio coming soon!
The Chocolate Nutcracker Prince
Xavier Logan is a 21-year-old proud native of Atlanta, Georgia. He’s a dancer, singer, actor, and model. A graduate of Northsprings High School of the Arts and Sciences and alumnus of Dance Makers of Atlanta, Xavier is now an uprising senior at The Juilliard School. Since joining The Juilliard School, Xavier has worked with Cidra Bell, Caili Quan, Jamar Roberts, Bobbi Jene Smith, Or Schraiber, Raja Feather Kelley, Larry Keigwin, and Sharon Eyal. He’s performed Camille A. Brown’s “City of Rain” and Johannes Wieland’s “Falling Empire”. And has received recent choreographic recognition presenting his work “Welcome To The J(U)” in Juilliard’s 2023 Choreographic Honors programing, making it the first hip-hop dance to grace Juilliard’s Mainstage. And in 2024 the sequel to this piece, “HBC-J(U): A Ju-illiard Homecoming” was chosen for Juilliard’s 2024 Choreographic Honors. Xavier was also recently selected as Teen Vogue X GLAAD 20 under 20 rising star.
Xavier has attended the Arts Umbrella, Jacob’s Pillow, Netherlands Dans Theater, and Orsolina 28 Summer Intensive.Where he has had the pleasure of working with Jennifer Archibald, Lilliana Barbos, and Tom Weinberger.
cHARISMA TRAN
Sugar Plum Fairy &
Y.E.S.S. Orlando Young Lions Drummer and Soloist
Charisma is a high school sophomore and a competitive dancer at Shooting Stars School of Performing Arts. She is also the drummer and marketing director of Y.E.S.S. Orlando Young Lions. Outside of dance, Charisma enjoys acting, modeling and volunteering. In 2021, she made her debut in four episodes of a TLC Reality Show and modeled for New York Fashion Week. In addition, Charisma is a volunteer for Teens Go Green Global, Orlando Union Rescue Mission and Give Kids the World. This will be the third year that Charisma and Y.E.S.S. will perform in Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Yesenia Fider
Snow Queen
Bio coming soon!
Makhari Lozeille
Mouse King
Makhari, also known as Khari, is an energetic, outgoing and loving young performer with He has been moving to the rhythm since he could walk and began formal training at the Orlando School of Cultural Dance at just four years old, where he discovered his love for African dance.
Since then, Khari has expanded his talents by performing in a variety of productions, including NuLook’s Summer Show, where he explored and embraced styles such as hip-hop, ballet, and Caribbean dance. His dedication and passion have taken him to cities and states across the country, performing in award shows and competitions.
Now celebrating his sixth year as part of The Chocolate Nutcracker, Khari will proudly take the stage as The Mouse King and perform in several other scenes alongside the show’s beautiful and talented cast. His vibrant spirit and love for dance continue to inspire everyone who watches him perform.
BRANDON K.I. HERRING JR.
Clare's Brother Fritz
Brandon K.I. Herring, Jr. is a 12-year-old Orlando Native with Nigerian and American Roots. Brandon's aspirations include musical theater, acting, modeling, fashion design, and digital media. Brandon is currently a 7th Grader in Howard Middle School's Academy of the Arts (an OCPS Magnet School for the Visual and Performing Arts). Brandon has participated in various classes at Dr. Phillips Center's AdventHealth School of the Arts in Drama, Musical Theater, & Broadway Jazz. He has modeled with Set It Off Production's Kids Fashion Shows, as well as, participated in CPMS Orlando All-Stars ECHOES Summer Theatre Troupe. Brandon is SO Excited to be a Part of the 2024 Production of Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
Carlisle Cannarella
Clare's Sister
Bio coming soon!
Ezra Ben Kaniyah
Drummer
Ezra Ben Kaniyah was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. He has 20+ years of drumming experience under the leadership of Sunshine Lee, Weesie Braimah, Atur Eleeahsah, Asaur Owens, & Caph Geui. This is Ezra's third season with Clare and the Chocolate Nutcracker.
